Fernando Echeverria

Leatherworker

©Alejandro Villamarin

©Fernando Echeverria

A twist on traditions

Fernando has lived in Prague for more than ten years
He makes leather accessories as well as shoes
He experiments with new technologies

Fernando Echeverria's work is reliably recognisable. Surprising shapes and playful colours are in balance with elegance and dignity. The Ecuadorian shoemaker studied product design in his homeland's capital, but for the master’s programme he moved to the Czech capital, Prague, to study fashion design at Liběna Rochová's atelier. "She liked the fresh wind of boldness that Czech students often lacked. During my studies, though, the South American pomp was sometimes too much for my professors," the designer laughs. "Thanks to that, I found the equilibrium between multifarious, baroque Ecuadorian style and European minimalistic, genteel fashion. This blend is celebrated by clients from all over the world."

Interview

©Alejandro Villamarin

©Alejandro Villamarin

Why did you choose the Czechia?: My Czech friend in Ecuador enticed me. I fell for the Czech glass tradition and wanted to study glass design. Without the experience that the Czechs who attended glass high schools had, I needed to be realistic, so I decided to follow my grandfather's craft – leatherworking.
Did he ever teach you?: He passed away when I was a child. My parents gave his workshop's ancient equipment to a museum. They didn't assume someone would continue the tradition. Today, one of my main aims is to preserve the craft. That's why I like to teach it too.
Is a craftsman always a designer?: In Czechia, there are usually shoemakers who make perfect shoes in classic shapes. Not many of them are also designers. As an educated designer, I am trained to innovate. I learned the craft from Czech masters, and I combine it with my creativity.
What are your sources of inspiration?: So many things! Architecture, nature, Czech and Ecuadorian folklore... I like to reinterpret textures that are abundantly present in Ecuadorian culture: geometric shapes, symbols, colours. But in the end, what I make is the result of an international blend of influences.

Fernando Echeverria is a master artisan: he began his career in 2013 and he started teaching in 2013